TSA is $531,000 richer thanks to your lost loose change

Skift Take

TSA wins even when it loses, how does that happen?

— Rafat Ali

Figures released by the agency showed TSA took in $531,395.22 that was lost by air passengers passing through its checkpoints last year. The figure is an increase from $487,869.50 that was collected in similar fashion in 2011 and $409,085.56 in 2010.

Current federal law allows TSA to keep the leftover money in collects for its general operations.

A Florida lawmaker, Rep. Jeff Miller (R), introduced a bill last year to require the TSA to transfer money that is not claimed by passengers to United Service Organizations (USO), which support military members. The bill was not approved by Congress last year, but the lawmaker plans to reintroduce the bill again soon.

NBCNews: By the numbers: Spare change left behind at airport checkpoints